The Sun Sport

Defending champion Rachel Arnold survived a shaky start to reach round two of the China Open in Shanghai after battling past Hong Kong China’s Tsz-Wing Tong. The Malaysian, who claimed her biggest PSA title here last year, looked tense early on and admitted that the pressure of defending the crown affected her performance.World No.22 Arnold fell behind 11-7 as Tong capitalised on errors, but the Malaysian settled in during the second and third games, winning 11-7 and 11-6. Tong, who appeared to be carrying an injury, repeatedly attempted to stop play but was denied an injury break, losing focus as Arnold moved ahead. The 33-year-old recovered in game four, saving two match balls before Arnold edged it 12-10 to seal the match.

With his 2026 Asian Tour card on the line, Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao opened the US$400,000 Taiwan Glass Taifong Open with a superb seven-under 65 on Thursday. The 33-year-old, who has kept his card for 12 straight years but struggled this season with seven missed cuts in 11 starts, returned to form at Taifong Golf Club — where he won in 2022 on the Asian Development Tour.Hung leads by two over Thailand’s Poosit Supupramai (67) after play was suspended late in the evening, with two groups still on course. Malaysia’s Ervin Chang, Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolphaisan, Korea’s Wooyoung Cho and Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig carded 68s, while India’s Viraj Madappa and several others sit at 69. The second round will resume Friday after the remaining players complete round one.

The ASEAN Championship, now named the ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ 2026, will celebrate its 30th anniversary next July and August as 11 national teams compete for the title of Champions of ASEAN. This 16th edition of the biennial tournament continues a tradition that began with the inaugural event in Singapore in 1996.Hyundai Motor Company joins as title sponsor for the first time, supporting the competition as defending champions Vietnam look to retain the crown they won with a 5-3 aggregate victory over Thailand. The Official Draw will take place next year, while Play-offs to decide the final Group Stage spot are scheduled for June 2 and 9.

Singapore captain and Lion City Sailors FC skipper Hariss Harun has urged his teammates to stay composed ahead of a crucial period that could see the nation qualify for the AFC Asian Cup and the club revive their ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ campaign.Singapore face Hong Kong on Tuesday, where victory would move them closer to their first Asian Cup appearance since hosting the tournament in 1984.“We are excited but need to keep calm,” said Hariss. “It’s a big time for everyone in Singapore — we just have to give our best and trust that our hard work will be rewarded.”

Garden International School (GIS) has unveiled its new RM100 million, five-level Sports Complex — a 200,000-square-foot facility featuring an Olympic-size swimming pool, two full-length indoor basketball courts, two tennis courts, and a fully equipped gym. The launch, officiated by YB Hannah Yeoh and attended by leaders from Taylor’s Education Group, reflects Taylor’s Schools’ philosophy of nurturing relevant, responsible, and resilient learners.President and CEO of Taylor’s Schools, Mr BK Gan, said the project — eight years in the making — was designed to meet the needs of both students and the wider community. He added that the new underground car park addresses traffic issues, providing improved access and safer drop-off points. The development, he said, embodies Taylor’s entrepreneurial mindset of solving problems through innovation and collaboration.